'Crop Profit Game' set to air on ABN network

Published: November 30, 2004 12:00AM

With low crop prices at this point in time every little bit counts.
That is one of the purposes of the series of programs entitled "Crop Profit Game," with Dale Minyo of the ABN network. This satellite broadcast program from Ohio State University on Dec. 14 from 7-9 p.m. will highlight current production practices, input recommendations and economic concerns for Ohio's agronomic crop industry.
I will play host to this telecast here at OARDC's Fisher Auditorium classroom. Pre-registration is required since the seating is limited to 40. Pre-register by calling the Wayne County Extension Office at (330) 264-8722.
This program carries pesticide credit of 1 hour of Category 1 Grain & Cereal Crops. The program has no charge. Farmers and agriculture industry people will find important information recommendations for the upcoming year. With input costs and the promise of new production problems this is a program that will prove to be very useful.
With agriculture continuing to grow worldwide our slice of the global export market is getting smaller. Soybean producers in Argentina and Brazil continue to outproduce the U.S., maybe by as much as 25 percent. That is even with them battling soybean rust in this soybean crop, which we have yet to experience.
The crop profit agenda for December 14th is broken into five quick hitting topics as follows:
Corn seed treatments and technology, Gaucho/Cruiser and others, and transgenic corn. These topics will be covered by Bruce Eisley and Ron Hammond.
Soybean seed treatments, current productions and use rates. This session will be with Anne Dorrance.
Soybean seeding rates research and innoculants with Jim Buerlein.
Some time will be spent on input cost price outlook, nitrogen and other fertilizer products.
We are continually finding people who do not take into account the fertilizer value of manure spread and thus adding more nutrients to the soil than the crop can use (commercial fertilizer and manure). As budgets get tighter we encourage farmers to better utilize their manure and fertilizer inputs. Soil testing is a must.
The last segment of time will be devoted to getting the most from your nitrogen dollar with agronomist Robert Mullen.
As the nitrogen costs creep up (leap up) it would be wise to be honest and fertilize nitrogen based on the "real" historical yield of crops on the farm and not the "hoped for" yield. Corn, for example, in the Tri-State Fertilizer Guide calls for 190 pounds of nitrogen for 160 bushels of corn following corn crop. (This takes into account no plow-down legume and manure.) The nitrogen does not concern one as much as the phosphorous and potassium that sometimes is applied in excess, especially if manure is applied. Phosphorous recommendation for corn with a soil test level of between 30 & 60 pounds per acre of phosphorous soil test value is 60 pounds per acre for a l60 bushel corn yield. The appropriate amount of potassium for the 160-bushel corn crop is 65 pounds per acre of potassium, assuming a CEC of 10 and a potassium soil test level of between 200 & 260 pounds per acre. If one uses book value for bedded dairy manure of 5 pounds per ton of nitrogen, 4 pounds per ton of phosphorous and 10 pounds per ton of potassium, then 10 tons of dairy manure per acre would provide 50 pounds nitrogen, 40 pounds of phosphorous and 100 pounds of potassium per acre. Look above and our crop needs 190 pounds per acre of nitrogen, 60 pounds per acre of phosphorous and 65 pounds per acre of potassium. That leaves the crop 140 pounds per acree of nitrogen short, only 20 pounds per acre of phosphorous short and 35 pounds per acre of potassium over!
One has to ask the question, how much more fertilizer is needed and how do we put it on? Then ask and answer the question, do we use starter fertilizer and give credit for its use? Only the producer (or his wallet) can answer this. Again, soil testing and knowing the previous crops value play a large role in either going overboard with fertilizer or getting adequate amounts on for successful yields.
The crop profit game is an interesting and informative up-to-date agronomy program that should be a must to see.
Workshop
A Livestock Composting Workshop is set for Dec. 15 in New Philadelphia (at Jim's Place). Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required by calling the Tuscarawas County Extension Office at (330) 339-2337.